Cosmetic Applicator and Method

ABSTRACT

A tool composed of silicone to apply cosmetics to the skin is disclosed. The invention described here reduces waste and the effort required to re-use a foam or foam-like cosmetic tool by being composed of silicone material that does not absorb cosmetics and is resistant to stains from most liquid, gel, or cream cosmetics. This results in decreased effort, decreased waste, increased cleanliness and longer use of the cosmetic tool.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No.62/434,866 filed on Dec. 15, 2016. The content of the aforementionedapplication is incorporated by reference herein. This application claimspriority as a continuation-in-part of U.S. design application Ser. No.26/613,389 filed on Aug. 9, 2017. The content of the aforementioneddesign application is incorporated by reference herein. This applicationclaims priority as a continuation-in-part of PCT utility applicationSer. No. PCT/US17/65494 filed on Dec. 10, 2017. The content of theaforementioned utility application is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Tools made of foam-like substances that are used to apply cosmetics tothe skin are easily stained, difficult to clean, and absorb the cosmeticproduct.

Foam-like and foam cosmetic applicator tools stain easily and thus lookdirty even after being cleaned. They cannot be cleaned in a fast mannerand some cannot be cleaned at all and are disposable, creating morewaste. Foam-like and foam cosmetic tools absorb a large amount ofcosmetic product which wastes the consumer's money.

In addition, the foam products do not provide an even and controllablepressure over an area because the cells of the foam actually do notuniformly distribute the pressure applied by the user, so that uneventhickness of cosmetics can result. That is, applied pressure on a foambody is sent through it to an application surface in only a smallsurface rather than being distributed over a desired larger surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 are taken from the provisional application from which priorityis claimed showing an embodiment of the subject silicone cosmeticapplicator

FIG. 4 is a view rotated partially between the back and side of anotherembodiment of the silicone cosmetic applicator in which a texturedsurface is shown.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the embodiment of the silicone cosmeticapplicator of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment of the silicone cosmeticapplicator of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the embodiment of the silicone cosmeticapplicator of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the silicone cosmeticapplicator of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment of the silicone cosmeticapplicator of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a view looking into an embodiment of the surface of a moldwith protrusions used for molding indentations into the surface of asilicone cosmetic applicator resulting in a textured surface of theapplicator.

FIGS. 11a and 11b show schematically the indentation affected by thetexturing in the ratio of length to depth from a close ratio to adistant ratio.

FIGS. 12a to 12c show the graduated deposition of cosmetics as thecosmetic applicator is moved across a user's skin.

FIG. 13 is a view showing how the indentations deliver cosmetics intopores and other anatomical irregularities in the skin as the applicatoris moved in use.

FIG. 14 is a view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Applying cosmetics, especially to the face presents challenges inseeking an optimal desired result. While the general understanding maybe that the subject of this technology applies to women's cosmetics, aswill be appreciated, that is not always the case. Men also can be therecipients of makeup, for example, in the stage, movie or televisionindustry or as personally desired.

The nature of the desired result is readily understood by users andcosmetic manufacturers. It is understood that successful application ofcosmetics is a personal objective, mainly of women who do their ownapplication. Successful application of cosmetics is also a professionalart of cosmetologists (synonymous with beautician, makeup artist andother terms) in a generic retail market. Also, there are some veryspecific professional industries for the art such as in the stage,television and movie industries for the application of theatricalmakeup. Another specific industry would be for persons having facialdisfigurement, or other need for makeup either temporarily duringhealing or for permanent appearance changes.

All of these require to a lesser or greater extent artistic talentranging from the individual self-application to the various categoriesof professionals.

Regardless of the category of makeup applier, application tools can beof greater or lesser effectiveness for successful result. That is thetechnical subject of the present invention.

The type of product described herein is sometimes commercial designatedas a cosmetic blender or make-up blender. However, in the descriptionsherein the term “applicator” will be used instead of “blender” so as toaddress the wide range of cosmetic application effects for which it isavailable.

The particular challenges addressed by the present invention in thevarious embodiments described below can be seen in two main categories.One category is the convenience of maintaining the cosmetic applicatorsuch as for cleaning it after use and related handling and maintaining.The other category is in the resultant application effect, sometimesreferred to as the blending effect, which more broadly is understood tomean a visual evenness and smoothness and graduated variation inappearance. These effects have numerous descriptive words such asshading, smoothing, coverage, evenness, overlining, consistency,contouring, glow, enhancement of features, color, blurring, eyelining,chiseling effect, sliming silhouette, and airbrush effect among others.That can be understood to refer to the cosmetics being undiscernible butnevertheless having the desired effect of appearance of skin as thoughit is the selected natural appearance. In other applications, make upcan be used to be visually apparent, and sometimes it is so emphaticallyused that the attempted natural look is lost.

The present invention has particular advantages as an application toolfor successful cosmetic application regardless of the user category.

The cosmetic invention herein described provides a silicone surface. Inan embodiment it is completely made of silicone. In certain embodimentsit has a textured surface. In some embodiments the surface has a bodymass behind it for easy curve adjustment and resilience.

The function served by the texturing is that a “cosmetic load” can begathered on the textured surface by being retained in the texturedfeatures, and the texturing also causes the cosmetic to spread evenlyupon application, or if the cosmetic was applied already, the texturingcauses a smoothing effect. It is the case that some working experiencebe acquired to put such a pressure and stroking of the cosmeticapplicator to have the texturing function to result in the enhancedsmoothing or blending quality. Once that experience is achieved thepresent invention can provide a blending superior to prior art cosmeticapplicators.

For the category of convenience, as stated above, make up applicationtools made of foam-like substances that are used to apply cosmetics tothe skin are easily stained, difficult to clean, and absorb the cosmeticproduct. The invention described and claimed here solves this problem.This applicator is made of silicone and is faster to clean, does notabsorb the cosmetic product, and will not stain if used with liquid, gelor cream based cosmetics. This invention is an improvement on whatcurrently exists. Prior to this invention foam and foam-like applicatorswere used to apply cosmetics to the skin.

Foam and foam-like cosmetic tools waste cosmetic product, time incleaning, and are easily damaged from stains. This invention is not afoam product. The invention described here reduces waste and the effortrequired to re-use a foam or foam-like cosmetic tool by being composedof silicone material that does not absorb cosmetics and is resistant tostains from most liquid gel or cream based cosmetics. This results indecreased effort, decreased waste, increased cleanliness and longer useof the cosmetic tool.

Further, the present invention in its embodiments provides new benefits,not previously available and not merely as avoiding deficiencies inprior products, but rather providing new results and methods of use.

For the category of enhanced application effect, the embodimentsdescribed below allow the enhanced effect by reason of adjusting thedelivery of makeup on the skin. That adjusting allows the anatomicalirregularities of skin surface to be overridden. Notably all skinsurfaces have porousness and relatively small unevenness (asdistinguished from scarring and disfigurement) the purpose of makeupbeing to cause those elements to be rendered disappeared. In theembodiment of the textured surface of the silicone cosmetic applicatorthat texturing fills and blends the minor facial flaws. The texturedsurface in one embodiment is a randomized mixture of closed surfaceindentations such as circles and linear surface indentations such asshort lines. The indentations carry a reservoir of cosmetic product andallow regulated dispersion, allowing volume variation and control suchthat the normal skin irregularities are adjusted for.

Those indentations being part of the textured surface provide at leasttwo interactive benefits.

One of those benefits derives from the reservoir effect of theindentations holding cosmetic so that in use as being moved over theskin, by controlled pressing, the stored cosmetic allows a longer strokeof evenly applied cosmetic to give a very fine even layer over the skin.

A second benefit is that the very fine dispersion out of theindentations acts like a spray of fine particles into the normalirregularities of the skin, as described below in more detail.

The textured surface provides a mechanism by which a large and denserandomized number of tiny indentations hold the cosmetic product overthe surface area of the applicator. As the textured applicator movesacross the skin, its large quantity of small indentations, deposit thecosmetic contained in each indentation out of the indentations in amanner that is analogous to being sprayed by an airbrush as creating afine dispersion of cosmetic product that are then continued to beabsorbed and blended into the skin by the applicator's second action.This second mechanism is that of the small indentations or cavitiesbeing similar to the normal anatomical textures that are on human skinbeing that of small and irregularly curved lines and small circularindentations. The indentations of the applicator are meant to mimicpores and lines in human skin, but larger than what is anatomicallycorrect. The purpose of this enlargement is to perform the firstmechanism described which is to act as a means of distribution todeposit the cosmetic product. The texture is also in a unique patternthat moves the product in many directions to prevent streaking or anunnatural appearance.

The two effects provide that the layer of cosmetic has a “bottom” thatfills the anatomical irregularities of the skin and a “top” that issmooth and even. Notable without the bottom filling, the top layer issubject to showing the anatomical irregularities. This effect isprovided by the dense randomized indentations that are herein defined asthe texturing of the silicone applicator. It is also noted that themanufacturing process that provides a defined controlled curing givesthe applicator a surface quality that will contribute to the effectssought as described.

An additional feature is that the texture's final action after it hasdeposited the product evenly over the skin, the texture acts as a stampwhen pressed onto the skin so that any remaining product will be pressedleaving the impression of a skin-like texture. This feature willtypically use a smaller area of the applicator for “touch up” where alarger movement of deposition doesn't reach, for example around the eyesor near the ears.

These described actions and effects are superior to smooth siliconeapplicators because the only mechanism a smooth applicator can provideis of spreading the cosmetics around the skin, but it cannot distributethe cosmetics evenly, nor can it provide a blended or natural skin-likeeffect. Smooth applicators are similar to applying a beauty product, forexample a skin cream, using latex gloves having a smooth surface.Compared to using a textured surface, it would take longer to rub thelotion into the skin and the result can be streaky and unnaturallooking. Using a foam applicator is not a desirable solution because thefoam applicators absorb and waste a large amount of the beauty productsin their mass instead of applying it to the intended skin surface.

Another benefit derived from the textured surface is that it allows a“give” to the surface that then results in the desired controlledpressure by the user to deposit the cosmetic along the uneven skinsurface resulting in the desired smoothed surface appearance. In oneembodiment it can be understood that a mass of silicone behind thetextured surface will allow the textured surface to adjust as makeup isdeposited by controlled user pressure to control the size of thedeposition sweep as well as its thickness. The textured surface of theapplicator also allows for holding a greater mass of cosmetic ascompared to a smooth surface, and that greater mass can then bedeposited on the skin by the various deposition methods used in cosmeticapplication, such as stroking and tapping, where the cosmetic isgradually deposited due to the texturing of the applicator surface.Other features that enhance the effect of the silicone applicator arealso described below.

The skin features that are addressed by the advantages of the presentinvention range from what might be regarded as normal skin discontinuityto specific skin issues (such as acne, eczema, Rosacea, sunburn,psoriasis, wrinkles).

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplar embodiment is shown in which theshape of the silicone applicator 10 can be said to be similar to an eggshape. This shape provides convenience for holding it as well asselection of smaller and larger application surface areas for thedesired areas of deposition of the makeup. Thus, as designated in FIG.1, it is relatively sharply rounded at a lower end 12 and pointed at anupper end 14, and has an intermediate area 16 of gradual curvature. Thesize can be in the range of from about 1 inch to 6 inches and it hasbeen found that a size of from about 2 to 3 inches allows the bestconvenience of use in terms of how it can be managed in application ofcosmetics over the face while manipulating it for coverage. A finalproduct size of 2 inches can be selected as a commercially convenientproduct. Also, packaging and personal carrying is best allowed in thesesizes. While FIGS. 1-4 do not show a textured surface per se, it can beunderstood that the surface can be textured.

FIGS. 4-9 show an exemplar embodiment applicator 18 having the samegeneral overall shape as in FIGS. 1-3 but showing a textured surface 20.The applicator of FIGS. 4-9 also has a hollowing 22 formed with adetermined depth and a periphery 24 big enough for a finger or thumb tobe inserted, which allows a controlled grip on it so that as theapplicator is moved along the face (for example) it can be rotated tokeep the same curvature in contact or to put a different curvature incontact, thus giving an evenly consistent application over varyingportions of the user's face. This allows rotating the applicator withfine control so that as cosmetic is dispatched from an area, freshcosmetic-bearing surface of the applicator is brought into contact withthe user's face. FIG. 10 is a portion of an exemplary mold used to makethe applicator 18 and is intended to give a better view of the texturingby showing the reversed texturing in the mold. The textured surfacetechnology will be more detailed below.

In some embodiments, the texturing on the applicator 18 surface is acombination of spot indentations of generally circular indentation shape(also called dots) and line indentations in a randomized mixture on thesurface. The term randomized is intended to mean that there is norecognizable pattern and no defined arrangement. The textured surfacecould be made with only circular indentations, or with only lineindentations. In an exemplar embodiment the circular indentations andthe line indentations are distributed in a ratio of about 50/50.Referring to Figs 11a and 11b , in exemplar embodiments, theindentations will progress from the surface as a fillet shape 26. Theindentations will have a width (w) to depth (d) ratio that is, a w/d, offrom about 4 at the sharpest curvature as in FIG. 11a to a w/d of about6 in the shallowest curvature of FIG. 11b thereby defining a range ofwidth to depth of about 4 to 6. The depth (d) of the textureindentations will be in the range of about ½ millimeter to about ¾millimeter.

In some embodiments, the indentations cover a range of about 50% to 99%of the surface area of the cosmetic applicator. In a preferredembodiment, the indentations cover a range of 75% to 90% of the surfacearea of the cosmetic applicator. While some described applicators areshown similar to an egg shape, other shapes and geometries ofapplicators are possible without departing from the spirit of thedisclosure herein.

FIGS. 12a, 12b and 12c illustrate schematically how the applicator 18with indentations can be loaded with cosmetic as in FIG. 12a , and thenin use, the cosmetic will be transferred such as at an intermediatepoint as in FIG. 12b and finally empty of cosmetic as in FIG. 12c . Itshould be appreciated that the dispatch of cosmetic from the texturedsurface, and especially from the indentations that define the texturing,will be done in a single movement across the skin so that the reservoirloading of the indentations will provide a base filling of theanatomical irregularities of the skin.

FIG. 13 shows how the dense texturing of the applicator 18 by theindentation can be used to lift and hold a reservoir of beauty productsand apply them to a user's skin. In use, the silicone textured cosmeticapplicator (the bottom portion) is ready to apply liquid, gel, or creambased cosmetics to the skin.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment in use. The user applies the applicator intoa cream, gel or liquid based makeup and uses the applicator to apply thecosmetic to the skin by tapping, patting, bouncing, wiping, or anycombination of or similar application methods, onto the skin. duringapplication the texturing in the cosmetic applicator surface provides alocal reservoir of cosmetic that can be accessed by either lighter orheavier pressure depending on the user's desire. For example, ascosmetic is dispatched, some heavier pressing can call on the reservoirof stored cosmetic to allow a length of continuous dispatch. Inaddition, as the cosmetic applicator is moved over the skin surface, thetexturing allows adjustments to the normal irregularities of the skin,giving the desired filling under the dispatched layer and flat andsmooth over the top of the dispatched layer. Notable is that this isdone by the user exercising acquired skill in increasing pressure, androtating to contact fresh surface of the applicator.

Now the making of the silicone textured applicator will be described.

In one embodiment, the silicone textured cosmetic applicator can beinjected-molded or poured into a two-part plastic or metal mold. Thesilicone is left to cure, and when cured, is then taken out of thetwo-part mold and cleaned off to be packaged.

In an exemplar embodiment, the applicator is made by molding fromaddition-cured silicone elastomers which are commonly referred to asplatinum catalyzed silicones and are generally two-part polymers witheach part containing different functional components. Generally, thePart A component contains vinyl functional siloxane polymer and theplatinum catalyst, whereas Part B contains vinyl functional polymer,hydrogen-functional crosslinker, and cure inhibitor (if used). Cureinhibitors are additives used to adjust the cure rate of the system. Thecure chemistry involves the direct addition of the Si—H functionalcrosslinker to the vinyl functional polymer forming an ethylene bridgecrosslink. The vulcanization of addition-cured silicone elastomers canbe heat accelerated. Depending on the specific product, addition-curedelastomers can be fully cured at temperatures and times ranging from 10minutes at 116° C. to 2 minutes at 150° C.

Once the part A and Part B are procured, they must be combined togetherin selected ratios by volume and mixed to form a curable siliconemixture that is poured into a hard non-silicone mold made of plastic ormetal. While one could accomplish this mixing process oneself givenappropriate measuring and mixing tools, for commercial purposes, itwould preferably be outsourced to a commercial or specialized moldingenterprise. After the given appropriate amount of time to cure in themold, the silicone is de-molded by taking the two parts of the mold andseparating them. The silicone cosmetic applicator is then pulled fromthe mold and cleaned off. It is then ready for use to apply cosmetics tothe skin.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art can readily recognize that theabove-described technique is not the only way the described cosmeticapplicator can be manufactured. For example, in another embodiment, thecosmetic applicator can be made via a compression mold technique.

Uncured silicone is highly adhesive. Conventional curing methodologiesin some cases choose the ratios of Part A to Part B and other curingprocess variables to fully cure the silicone. The resulting curedsilicone becomes non-stick. While non-stick silicone material can beuseful in some applications (e.g., kitchen utensils, seals, etc.), anentirely non-stick cosmetic applicator is not desirable because it lacksthe ability to adhere to cosmetic products and lift them for the purposeof application. Additionally, a cosmetic applicator that is too stickyis not useful because it would adhere too rigidly to cosmetic productsand would not efficiently deposit the product into skin. The describedcosmetic applicator, on the other hand, is manufactured to have theproper level of stickiness for efficient deposition of beauty products.

In one embodiment, the described cosmetic applicator is made ofsilicone. A silicone applicator can be manufactured to have anappropriate consistency to impart the described benefits and feel goodon a user's face during application. For example, the applicator has adesired stickiness and hardness. Shore durometer rating, which is ameasure of hardness of material, can be useful to describe the desiredhardness of the silicone used for the described cosmetic applicator.Silicone applicators with durometer ratings of about 30-45 on the typeOO scale (of the ASTM D2240 standard) can function well. The preferredapplicator has a durometer rating of about 35 on the type OO scale ofthe ASTM D2240 standard.

A silicone applicator textured as described above and having the desireddurometer rating can impart the benefits described herein. For example,such a cosmetic applicator can be sticky enough to pick up a desiredamount of make-up for application and not so sticky to be inconvenientduring application. Additionally, the silicone cosmetic applicator withthe described durometer rating is hard enough to apply make-up withprecision but soft enough to be comfortable on the face duringapplication. The described silicone applicator applies make-up withefficiency and convenience while being clearer and more durable comparedto conventional make-up applicators. For example, in some experiments,the described silicone applicator lasted nearly a year, whileconventional applicators lasted about three months. Additionally,compared to conventional applicators, the described technology producesa silicone applicator that does not harbor germs and can be sanitized byboiling.

A conventional foam applicator lifts an amount of make-up product bytaking the product into its openings or pores. When pressed, aconventional foam applicator releases some amount of make-up onto theuser's face. However, the foam applicators waste a considerable portionof the cosmetic product, are hard to clean and last only a short while.Conventional smooth silicone applicators can smear the make-up and moveit around a user's face leaving streaks, unevenness and unnaturalapplication of make-up. The described textured silicone applicator, withthe disclosed durometer rating addresses the issues inherent inconventional applicators described above. The indentations lift anappropriate amount of make-up, distribute the make-up in differentdirections and apply them evenly.

One technique to achieve the desired quality and feel in the describedsilicone applicator is to partially cure the silicone, making a “tacky”silicone used for making the applicator. For example, when injectionmolding technique is used, the manufacturer can use an off-ratio of PartA components to Part B components. The ratio of Part A/Part B can befrom about 50/50 to about 57/43, which in turn can yield durometerratings of about 30 to about 45, respectively, on the OO scale of theASTM D2240 standard. The preferred ratio of Part A/Part B is about55/45, yielding the preferred applicator with the durometer rating ofabout 35 on the type OO scale of the ASTM D2240 standard. Partial curingof silicone using the ratios above can produce silicone oil as aby-product. Tackiness in the resulting silicone is analogous to acoating. In some embodiments, the tackiness of the coating can improvethe ability of the silicone applicator to lift make-up for application.The combination of textured indentations and the tackiness of theresulting silicone can lift an appropriate amount of make-up forapplication.

In some cases, a fully cured silicone cannot be made tacky unless it isat a very low durometer rating. Silicone with very low durometer ratingmay be difficult to use in an injection molding process. The resultingsilicone can become very soft and sticky (“gooey”). Using theabove-described ratios can help achieve the desired tackiness withoutexcessive softness or stickiness and the resulting mixture can be usedin an injection molding process to yield the desired applicator.

Making the cosmetic applicator with tacky silicone is not the onlymethod of manufacturing the described silicone applicator with thedesired durometer rating. For example, the silicone applicator can bemanufactured using a compression mold technique to yield the desireddurometer ratings stated above, without tackiness.

Using these techniques, a silicone cosmetic applicator with the desiredtextured indentations and durometer rating can be produced to yield thebeneficial results described herein. Silicone is skin-safe andhypoallergenic.

Although the various features of novelty that characterize the inventionhave been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, otherembodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art,in view of the disclosure herein. Accordingly, the present invention isnot intended to be limited by the recitation of the preferredembodiments, but is instead intended to be defined solely by referenceto the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic applicator being made by molding ofsilicone of the platinum-cured silicone type in a mold that is surfacedto provide a resulting textured surface on the molded product.
 2. Thecosmetic applicator of claim 1 wherein the silicone of theplatinum-cured silicone type is made by combining a catalyst (part A)and a base material (part B), wherein the ratio of catalyst to basematerial is in the range of from about 50/50 to about 57/43.
 3. Thecosmetic applicator of claim 2 wherein the ratio of catalyst to basematerial is about 55/45.
 4. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 whereinthe resulting textured surface is a randomized distribution ofindentations in the form of dots and lines.
 5. The cosmetic applicatorof claim 4 wherein the depth of texturing of the randomized distributionof dots and lines is in the range of about ½ millimeter to about ¾millimeter.
 6. The cosmetic applicator of claim 4 wherein the width todepth ratio of dots and lines is in the range of about 4 to about
 6. 7.The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 having a durometer rating in therange of about 30-45 on the type OO scale of the ASTM D2240 standard. 8.The cosmetic applicator of claim 7 having a durometer of about 35 on thetype OO scale of the ASTM D2240 standard.
 9. A cosmetic applicatorcomprising: a uniform and flexible material, wherein the materialcomprises randomized surface indentations, wherein flexing the materialflexes surface indentations and the surface indentations can lift andhold an amount of cosmetic product, and applying pressure to thematerial held or rubbed against a skin surface deposits a portion of theamount of cosmetic product on the skin surface.
 10. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 9, wherein the surface indentations comprise asurface area in the range of about 50% to 99% of the surface area of theuniform flexible material.
 11. The cosmetic applicator of claim 9,wherein the surface indentations comprise a surface area in the range ofabout 75% to 90% of the surface area of the uniform, flexible material.12. The cosmetic applicator of claim 9, wherein the flexible uniformmaterial comprises silicone of platinum-cured silicone type.
 13. Thecosmetic applicator of claim 12, wherein the silicone is made bycombining a catalyst and a base, wherein the ratio of the catalyst tobase is in the range of from about 50/50 to about 57/43.
 14. Thecosmetic applicator of claim 13, wherein the silicone is made bycombining a catalyst and a base, wherein the ratio of the catalyst tobase is about 55/45.
 15. The cosmetic applicator of claim 9, wherein thesurface indentations range in depth from about ½ millimeter to ¾millimeter from the surface of the flexible material.
 16. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 9, wherein the surface indentations have a width todepth ratio in the range of about 4 to about
 6. 17. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 9, wherein the flexible uniform material is shapedto comprise a finger hold.
 18. A method of manufacturing a siliconecosmetic applicator comprising: providing a mold of a desired shape ofthe silicone cosmetic applicator, the mold having protrusions such thatthe resulting silicone cosmetic applicator will have indentations formedby the protrusions in the mold defining a textured surface on thesilicone cosmetic applicator; molding the silicone cosmetic applicatorin the mold with a silicone based material; wherein a product resultingfrom the molding will be the silicone cosmetic applicator having thetextured surface formed by the indentations resulting from theprotrusions.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the protrusions are of aform to result in the textured surface comprising randomizeddistribution of dots and lines on the applicator surface.
 20. The methodof claim 19 wherein the dots and lines have a depth of from about ½millimeter to about ¾ millimeter.
 21. The method of claim 18 wherein themolding results in the silicone cosmetic applicator having a durometerrating in the range of about 30-45 on the type OO scale of the ASTMD2240 standard.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the molding resultsin the silicone cosmetic applicator having a durometer rating of about35 on the type OO scale of the ASTM D2240 standard.
 23. The method ofclaim 18 wherein the silicone based molding material is an additioncured platinum catalyzed two component silicone cure material.
 24. Themethod of claim 18 wherein the silicon based molding material is a tincure silicone.
 25. A method of using a silicone cosmetic applicator ofthe type having a textured surface having a hollowing comprising:holding the silicone cosmetic applicator in one hand with a finger inthe hollowing; applying a cosmetic material to the textured surface;moving the silicone cosmetic applicator so as to deposit the cosmeticmaterial onto skin by performing a function selected from the groupconsisting of: a. stroking, b. patting, c. tapping, d. swiping, e.stroking and patting, f. stroking and tapping, and g. stroking andswiping.